Shay Given hopes to be fit by the time the new Premier League season starts. England international Joe Hart was expected to step in as the number one goalkeeper for City with Given still recovering from the dislocated shoulder he sustained towards the end of last season, and forced to watch from the Manchester City Hospitality Tickets.
However, the Republic of Ireland international insists that his rehab is progressing well and he will be ready to return for the beginning of the new campaign.
SHAY Given insists Joe Hart won’t let England down at the World Cup – but is determined to keep him out of Manchester City’s first team.
Hart is set to be named in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad after an outstanding season on loan at Birmingham.
And Given reckons his City colleague – the least experienced of England’s three keepers – is more than good enough to handle the World Cup pressure.
“It would be great for Joe to get a couple of games,” said Given. “He’s had a fantastic season. Rob Green and David James are two fantastic keepers as well.
Joe Hart has revealed he feels 'devastated' for Shay Given after the Manchester City No.1 suffered a season-ending injury.
Given had to be replaced in Saturday's goalless draw against Arsenal after dislocating his shoulder and will now see two specialists over the next three days.
Hart, currently on loan at Birmingham from Man City, admits he was upset to see the Irishman pick up such a problem. "I am devastated for Shay," Hart told Man City's official website. "I texted him on Saturday.
Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given expects Manchester United to throw everything possible at him in the League Cup semi-final second leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday. City won the first leg 2-1 at Eastlands thanks to a brace from Carlos Tevez, but Given does not expect Sir Alex Ferguson's men to surrender a place in a Wembley final easily.
Three nominees stand out for the Player of the Year so far.
Cesc Fabregas, Shay Given and Nicolas Anelka. They are all having brilliant seasons for their respective clubs Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Fabregas is just 22 and yet is showing maturity beyond his years and terrific performances.
He looks as if he is a different player this season, enjoying a new free role in midfield, giving him licence to get forward more and, as a result, he has scored 14 goals. Astonishing.
Shay Given wants to prove it was medals rather than money that took him to Manchester City.
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper was criticised for joining a band of Eastlands mercenaries when he quit Newcastle after 12 years to join the Blue revolution last January.
But Given insists the move was driven by his desire for silverware rather than the need to fill his bank account – and he can move a step closer to his ambition when City go to Old Trafford this week.
Given said: “I am absolutely desperate to win something. That’s why I left Newcastle to come to City.
Irish shot-stopper Shay Given has noticed a marked improvement in Manchester City's defending since Roberto Mancini began his tenure at the City of Manchester Stadium.
City have competed in four fixtures during Mancini's reign, and have collected three clean sheets, their sole concession arriving during the 4-1 rout of Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on Monday evening.
SHAY Given is thirsting for revenge ahead of tomorrow night’s all-Manchester Carling Cup semi-final. The City keeper endured his share of heartaches during a 10-year roller-coaster career at Newcastle.
But he admits the dramatic 4-3 Manchester derby defeat at Old Trafford in September – when his old Toon pal Michael Owen scored an injury-time winner – left him reeling. Given said: “I have to admit it took me a long while to get over it.
